A SCHOOLBOY was headbutted by a man who barged past him at a Blackburn shopping centre.

Rizwan Khalid was drunk at the time he attacked the youngster in what the judge called a "nasty" incident at The Mall.

The 15-year-old victim was still in his uniform, having finished school for the day, when the violence took place one afternoon last October.

Khalid, 20, of Boland Street, Blackburn was given six months custody, suspended for 18 months when he appeared at Preston Crown Court. A judge also ordered that he undergo 18 months supervision and an anger management programme.

Judge Robert Brown told the defendant: "You are a young man who does have a tendency to act in a violent manner when you have lost your temper.”

He pleaded guilty to offences of actual bodily harm assault, possessing cannabis bush and also a public order matter. Khalid was also fined £100 and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Miss Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said the schoolboy felt it had been a deliberate action when the defendant's shoulder hit him. Because of that, he turned round and asked, "What was that for?".

The two had a conversation. A few moments later, the boy was waiting for a friend outside a card shop when he felt someone grab hold of his school blazer from the front and then start to shake him.

Without provocation, the defendant headbutted him around the nose and top of his mouth. A security guard who went to help the victim was verbally abused by Khalid who became threatening.

The boy, who suffered a stiff jaw and chipped tooth, had made a victim impact statement.

"He now feels very wary of people running into him and he is reluctant to go into the town centre on his own," added Miss Kehoe.

Five bags of cannabis bush were found on Khalid by police. He had previous convictions that included offences of violence.

Mr Phillip Andrews, defending, said his client had, “given up involvement with drink and drugs”.